Neutrophil Polarization and Immune Regulation: Toward Immune-Bioadaptive Dental Implants

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes and primary immune defenders in humans. Emerging evidence pinpoints that neutrophils possess a functional spectrum, mirroring macrophage polarization, spanning pro-inflammatory (N1) to anti-inflammatory/reparative (N2) phenotypes, contributing pivotally to host defense and immune modulation. In this Perspective, we first summarize the classification criteria, defining markers, and functional relevance of neutrophil polarization, highlighting their dynamic crosstalk with macrophages in shaping local immune microenvironments. Merging latest advances in immunology and biomaterials science, we move on to discuss how neutrophil-directed immunomodulation is informing the design of bioadaptive dental implants that feature tailored surface properties (chemistry, topography, wettability, etc.) to spatiotemporally steer neutrophil responses, aiming at alleviating foreign body reaction, controlling inflammation, and expediting osseointegration. The ultimate goal here is to provide guidance for designing bioadaptive implants with active immunoregulation targeting neutrophil–material interplays for tackling compromised osseointegration in dental implantation.